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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Patrick Redford

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 31: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks and forward AJ Dybantsa #3 of the BYU Cougars chase down a loose ball in the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 31, 2026 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Who Deserves To Win The NBA Draft Lottery?

Tom Ley

Media Meltdowns

Is Nellie Bowles The Worst Writer In America?

Luis Paez-Pumar

Islamic Republic of Iran players take part in anthems during the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 match between Korea Republic v Islamic Republic of Iran at Gold Coast Stadium on March 02, 2026 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Soccer

Iran Women’s Soccer Team Is Feeling The Effects Of The War All The Way In Australia

Israel Daramola

Where Does Tua Tagovailoa Go From Here?

Politics

We Have Obtained More Footage Of Kash Patel Falling Down While Playing Hockey

Ray Ratto

Scott Sabourin of the Tampa Bay Lightning fights Sam Carrick of the Buffalo Sabres on March 8, 2026. The shadows look cool.

The Sabres And Lightning Brawled, Scored, And Cemented A Wild New Rivalry

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Ebba Aarsjoe of Sweden competes in the Para Alpine Skiing Women's Downhill Standing Final on day one of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on March 7, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Crosswords

The Crossword, March 9: Music Round

Lauren Theisen

Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche scores a goal during a shootout after overtime to win the game against the Minnesota Wild

I Have So Many Nice Things To Say About The Avalanche And The Wild

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Jayson Tatum Might Redefine Basketball’s Worst Injury, Or Might Not

It’s Just Another Day In ‘Paradise’ Cover Song Hell

Barry Petchesky

WRITER DAN SIMMONS PUBLISHES 'FIRES OF EDEN'

Defector Reads A Book

Dan Simmons Is Dead, So It’s Time To Read ‘Hyperion’

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 07: Luis Vázquez #8 of Team Puerto Rico celebrates after his team's 4-3 victory against Team Panama at Hiram Bithorn Stadium on March 07, 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The World Baseball Classic Is Already Producing Some Classic World Baseball

Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc speaks during a press conference after the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne's Albert Park Circuit on March 8, 2026.

Racing

New F1 Season, New Regulations, Same Old Ferrari Fuck-Up

Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers faces off against Sebastian Aho

I Bought A Ticket To The Connor McDavid Show And A Hurricanes Game Broke Out

Albert Burneko

General view during Joseline's Cabaret Tour at Magic City Kitchen on January 18, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Road To Magic City Monday Is Paved With Good Intentions

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 04: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs chats with William Nylander #88 during a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on March 4, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It’s Angst Day In Canada’s Angst Capital

Pictured L to R: Joe Hunter, Christian Hubicki on Survivor 50

‘Survivor’ Is Better When Everyone Gets A Little Silly With It

Dave McKenna

College Football

Lou Holtz Lisped Like A Champion

Former Defector intern, now freelancer.
For professional inquiries or tips please write lucybl00m@protonmail.com or yuck.20 on Signal.
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Lucy Bloom

A Helpful Explainer Of Kansas’s Lunatic Anti-Trans Law

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

White-faced Plover Charadrius dealbatus, Great Kinmen Island, Taiwan.

Creaturefector

Newly Poly Plover Dad Still Figuring Out His Time Management

A general view of the exterior of the Saddledome

It’s A Dome That’s Shaped Like A Saddle

Kathryn Xu

The 2026 Formula 1 drivers pose for a photo during the F1 Photocall at Bahrain International Circuit on February 11, 2026 in Bahrain, Bahrain.

An Exquisite 2026 Formula 1 Preview For True Sophisticates

As Best We Can Tell, Kristi Noem Is Now A Green Lantern Or Some Shit

David Roth

Justin Agu #13 of the Louisville Cardinals catches the ball against the Toledo Rockets during the first half of the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on December 23, 2025.

Podcasts

Imagining The End Of College Sports, With Spencer Hall

Giri Nathan

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)